Lagos ports have received five fuel vessels carrying a total of 95,000 metric tonnes of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), amid rising concerns over Nigeria’s fuel supply stability. The vessels docked at Apapa and Tincan Island ports between March 27 and 29, 2026, according to the Nigerian Ports Authority’s Daily Shipping Position obtained by The PUNCH.
Among the arrivals, the vessel Hudson delivered 22,000MT of AGO at Apapa’s New Oil Jetty on Friday, March 27, while Kingis brought 15,000MT of PMS via Lister Oil Jetty the same day. Leste offloaded 20,000MT of diesel at Apapa’s Bulk Oil Plant Terminal on Saturday. At Tincan Island Port, Savanna arrived with 16,000MT of PMS on Friday, and Kobe brought 22,000MT of AGO on Sunday.
The Federal Government recently lifted its ban on fuel imports, granting six new licences for petrol importation to address a sudden supply gap caused by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Reports indicate that the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) authorised the import of about 180,000MT of petrol, despite previous claims that domestic refining capacity was sufficient.
Industry sources confirmed that importers include Bono Energy, Pinnacle, AYM Shafa, Matrix, A.A. Rano, and NIPCO, each allowed to import approximately 30,000MT of petrol, equivalent to roughly 40.5 million litres per company. The approvals come shortly after NMDPRA had paused import licences in March, citing improved domestic production from local refineries supplying around 36.5 million litres daily.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has indicated it may consider exporting its products if the government continues to permit fuel imports. A senior official at the Dangote Group suggested that ongoing import licences undermine domestic supply incentives, potentially prompting the refinery to redirect its production to export markets.
